How to Trek to the Top of Nohkalikai Falls?

How to Trek to the Top of Nohkalikai Falls?
Published Date: 6th Jul 2022

Trekking to the Top of the Nohkalikai Waterfalls

Did you know that one of the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in the country has a rather sad story behind it? The name “Nohkalikai”, if translated exactly, means the jump of ka Likai. The lady Likai had jumped off the cliff in grief and her tears led to the formation of the waterfalls. The Nohkalikai falls may have a sad story believed by the locals but are extremely beautiful to look at.

Surrounded by steep rocks and dense forests, the falls are 1,115 feet high, making it the tallest waterfall in India. Since the force here is so high, you’re definitely not allowed to enter the water. In fact, getting to the base of the waterfall is also really difficult. Hence, to get a view of these falls, you have 2 options – either you trek to the top of the falls or you see them from another viewpoint in Cherrapunji.

Getting an Aerial View of the Nohkalikai Falls

Trekking even to the top of the Nohkalikai falls is not everyone’s cup of tea. It is a tough, steep and dangerous 40-minute long trek. Hence, if you wish to avoid going to the tip of the waterfall, here’s another way anyone can get a view of the Nohkalikai waterfalls.

The viewpoint is only 7.4 km from the main city of Cherrapunji. You can choose to drive your way down here or walk down. The roads leading you to this place are smooth and the tourist spot is quite famous. You can shop for spices and souvenirs from here along with getting a splendid panoramic view of the falls.

Now if that’s not enough for you, here’s what you can do instead – take a tough trek to the top of the waterfalls.

How to Reach the Mouth of the Nohkalikai Waterfalls?

Since this is a tough trek, you’ll need a local as your guide here. The entry point is [number] km away from Cherrapunji. You’ll have to pay 60 bucks as an entry fee in order to start off. Here’s how your journey is going to be:

  • We start off with a slippery path with wet mud and moss-filled rocks.
  • Then, you’ll come across a riverbed with many boulders. You need to cross it by jumping over them one after the other.
  • You walk a little further, till you come across the Tlai falls, which is a baby version of what you’ll see at Nohkalikai.
  • After resting here, the path ahead is gorgeous. You’ll be coming across 1000-year-old fossils, gorges, caves and natural pools.
  • You walk till the end of the cave, till you finally arrive at the mouth of the waterfall. Yes, you’re practically now standing at a height of 1,115 feet from the foot of the waterfall.

So, there are 2 ways to see the Nohkalikai waterfalls. One is an easy and pleasant trip to the viewpoint where you can click pictures and shop. The other is quite an adventure, which shows you another side of Meghalaya and gives you a greater feeling of being at the waterfalls.

The height, surroundings and purity of the waterfalls are some of the traits that make it so beautiful and attractive. If you really wish to make the most of this place, you can choose to look at them both ways.


 

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